title: Intracranial aneurysm occurring as sensorineural hearing loss.
abstract: Reports of sudden hearing loss as the first sign of an intracranial aneurysm are sparse and published primarily in the neurologic literature. A case report is presented in which the initial signs and symptoms of a lobular aneurysm in the posterior communicating artery were the sudden onset of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and headache. Following evaluation and identification of the aneurysm, this patient underwent a craniotomy with clipping of the aneurysm; hearing sensitivity improved dramatically following surgery. The world literature is reviewed for cases in which aneurysms have initially occurred as hearing loss, tinnitus, or both. Intracranial aneurysm is discussed as a rare, potential source of a sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
mesh_terms: D001299:Audiometry; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography